CASA for Lancaster County - News & Updates | |
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Hello - 2023 is quickly coming to an end and we've been busy at CASA for Lancaster County. Five new groups of CASA volunteers have been sworn in and assigned to cases. So far in 2023, over 120 volunteers have advocated for the best interests of 312 at-risk children and youth. Thank you to all of our volunteers - your commitment to helping abused and neglected children makes a difference!
Below are articles about Donut Dash for CASA 2023, Nebraska CASA Conference, our fourth and fifth new volunteer training classes, CASA Heroes for Children Breakfast, information on KVC's Fostering Educational Success program, a thank you to Rachel Freeman - our student intern this past semester, 2024 new volunteer training dates, and updates and information for our volunteers.
Also included is a "Save the Date" for our holiday open house!
Thank you again to our amazing volunteer advocates and board members. We value your work and dedication and with your help we will continue to "Change a Child's StoryTM" every day.
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Donut Dash for CASA 2023!
The 2023 Donut Dash was held on Saturday, September 23rd at Mahoney City Park. This year's run featured a team (of two) option. Participants could split up the running and eating donuts while competing for prizes. It turned out to be a drizzly day but everyone had a great time! We even had a returning participant from our 2015 run! As an added bonus, two State Senators (Sen. Anna Wishart and Sen. Carolyn Bosn) came out to support CASA. Thank you to our event sponsors Russ's Market, Lincoln Running Company, Fleet Feet, Norland Pure, PerchMerch, and Lincoln Orthodontics. We are grateful to everyone for supporting our mission!
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Nebraska CASA Conference 2023
The 2023 statewide Nebraska CASA Conference was held Saturday, August 26th in LaVista. We had 24 from CASA for Lancaster County attend, including staff! It was a great conference and many of the breakout sessions are available for viewing on Nebraska CASA's YouTube Channel Nebraska CASA YouTube.
The 2024 conference is set for Saturday, August 24, 2024. See you there!
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New Volunteers Sworn In - September 2023
Five new CASA volunteers were sworn in September 6th by Judge Reggie Ryder. We are so pleased to have Danielle Calvillo, Abby Hay, Margaret Fouberg, Rachel Freeman, and Courtney Nabegh join the CASA team! A sixth new volunteer, Paige Kotik, was sworn-in at a later date - welcome Paige. Thank you to Judge Ryder for presiding!
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New Volunteers Sworn In - November 2023
We swore-in five new CASA Volunteers in November. Please help us welcome Mariah Wailes, Alexandra Hughes, Melissa Morales Romero, Susie Mahoney and John Chapo!
We called this our legacy class - two of these volunteers' mothers are also CASA volunteers.
A very special thank you to Judge Roger Heideman for swearing everyone in.
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The CASA Heroes for Children Breakfast was held Thursday, November 16th at the Country Club of Lincoln. We had over 115 supporters and volunteers join us! Awards for outstanding volunteer, staff years of service along with two CASA Champion awards were presented. Volunteers who completed five years as a CASA volunteer were honored along with our wonderful Peer Coordinators. Award recipients were:
- Amanda Conradt, Senior Volunteer Coordinator, Five Years of Service.
- Kristi Morrow, Associate Director, 10 Years of Service.
- Kelly Winnik, Peer Coordinator and 5 Years as a member of the Board of Directors.
- James Rea, Peer Coordinator.
- Volunteers Tommi Jones, David Williams and Colleen Ogden for 5 Years of Volunteering.
- Corrie Kielty, Nebraska CASA Executive Director, was recognized as a CASA Champion for her work supporting local CASA programs.
- Julie Aksamit, CASA Volunteer and former practicum student, for her long-standing commitment and support of CASA for Lancaster County.
- Volunteer Ann Jablonski was recognized as an Outstanding Volunteer by Volunteer Coordinator Hannah Lindblad.
- Volunteer David Williams was recognized as an Outstanding Volunteer by Senior Volunteer Coordinator Amanda Conradt (Shirley Williams accepted on his behalf).
- Volunteer Trixie Schmidt was recognized as an Outstanding Volunteer by Associate Director Kristi Morrow.
Attendees also heard from a CASA Youth about her experience in the system. Our event wouldn't have been possible without board member Dr. Emily Willett as our Country Club of Lincoln sponsor and Table Sponsors: Union Bank & Trust; INSPRO-A Marsh & McClennan Company; Pittenger and Anderson; Nebraska Bank of Commerce; Board Member Sheila Bentzen and Rembolt Ludtke Law Firm; and Board Member Betsy Tonniges. Thank you too, to Board President Colten Zamrzla for welcoming everyone. We are grateful to everyone who attended and for your financial support. Thank you again to our award recipients and to all our CASA volunteers. With your help, we are working to "Change a Child's StoryTM" everyday.
*Peer Coordinators Tina Olivares and Sandy Ludwig were unable to attend.
**5-Year Volunteers Barbie Sorensen, Sue Gildersleeve and Brenda Anderson were also unable to attend.
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KVC Nebraska is looking to transform educational outcomes for youth who have spent time in foster care, and they need YOUR help!
Fostering Educational Success is a 9-month, completely free and voluntary research program for foster youth wo are moving towards permanency. FES supports families through 3 primary areas: School Connectedness, Academic Engagement, and Family Cohesion. Know a family who may benefit from this service? Participants must meet the following criteria:
- Elementary and secondary students aged 7-19
- Live within a 60-mile radius of Lincoln or Omaha
- Youth has a history of foster care involvement
- Committed caregiver who is willing to participate
- English speaking (English does not have to be a first language)
- Moving towards a permanency objective of: reunification, adoption, guardianship, or independent living
If ANY of your families are moving towards permanency, send an email to FESreferral@kvc.org check out their website to learn more about the FES program.
FES website: Fostering Educational Success - KVC Nebraska
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Want to help a CASA child have a Merry Christmas?
Visit the Nebraska Bank of Commerce, 6000 Village Drive (40th & Old Cheney, Williamsburg) and choose an ornament from the Giving Tree and purchase a Christmas gift for a child! More information at the Nebraska Bank of Commerce or call the CASA Office at 402-474-5161
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2024 New Volunteer Training Dates
Trainings are five weeks plus an orientation session.
January 23, 2024
March 26, 2024
May 28, 2024
August 6, 2024
October 15, 2024
More information as well as a link to the application packet can be found on the Volunteer page of our website - click Here!
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Thank you to our intern this semester - Rachel Freeman. She has done a tremendous job. We appreciate her help and are so glad she is continuing as a CASA volunteer! | |
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Volunteers it's not to late to get your In-Service hours in for 2023!
There are lots of options for completing continuing education - check out the In-Service page on our website.
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CASA Volunteer Birthdays - October-December
Happy Birthday to CASA volunteers, board members and staff having birthdays in October, November and December!
October Birthdays: Amanda Conradt, Kate Wolfe, Pam Van Cleaf, Deb Selix, Kris Brenneis, Katy Beth Ezell, Kate Olsson, Ellie Pearson, JoLynn Sturek, Shirley Williams, Jillian Brauninger, Robin Bohnet, Sarah Geiser, and Danielle Calvillo.
November Birthdays: Dawn Rockey, Jean McGill, Ashlyn Dickmeyer, Kenessa Copeland, Jill Traynowicz, Staci Bell, Patti Molzen, Brady Wiebeck, Kaelee Stone, Paige Kotik, Alexandra Hughes, Tyler Loos, and Betsy Tonniges.
December Birthdays: Diane Heiserman, Sean Miller, Abby Coren, and Kelly Winnik.
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Save the Date - Holiday Open House - Wednesday December 20th 3:00-5:00 PM
Join us for holiday treats, mingle with other CASA volunteers and pick up Giving Tree Gifts for your CASA kiddos.
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The CASA Office will have shortened hours on Friday, December 22nd and will be closed on Monday, December 25th and Monday January 1, 2024 in observance of Christmas and New Year's!
We hope you all have a wonderful, safe and healthy holiday!
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